System and method for directing an object to move on an interactive surface through a defined path

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and accompanying method for directing the movement of an object on an interactive surface through a defined path. The system includes an object embedded with a unique identification code (UID), a movement module, and a distinct pattern of capacitive tabs near the surface of the object that makes contact with the interactive surface, an interactive surface configured to recognize the UID, location and orientation information of an object placed on the interactive surface, and a processor operatively linked to the interactive surface and configured to direct, track and correct the movement of the object along a defined path on the interactive surface by tracking the UID, location and orientation of the object continuously and throughout the movement. A centralized control mode is applied in the present invention, which makes the structure of the electronic hardware within the moving object substantially simplified, which leads to a decreased manufacturing cost, and, from an aesthetic point of view, the logic clearer and easily understood.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation in part of International Patent Application PCT / CN2015 / 072626, entitled “A System and Method for Directing an Object to Move on an Interactive Surface through a Defined Path”, filed on Feb. 10, 2015, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application PCT / CN2014 / 086745, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Small Scale Object to Generate a Sensory Output to a User Powered by RF Energy Harvesting”, filed on Sep. 17, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application PCT / CN2014 / 085668, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Targeted Object on an Interactive Surface to Produce a Response”, filed on Sep. 1, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application PCT / CN2014 / 084498, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Moving Object on an Interactive Surface”, filed on Aug. 15, 2014.[0002]International Patent Application PCT / CN2015 / 07262...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0036]A centralized control mode is applied in the embodiment of the present invention. With this mode, the interactive surface obtains the UID, location and orientation information of the moving object placed on the surface so as to direct the movement of the object. As a result, the structure of the electronic hardware within the moving object is substantially simplified, which leads to a decreased manufacturing cost, and, from an aesthetic point of view, the logic is clearer and easily understood.

Problems solved by technology

firstly, from a purely aesthetic point of view, having a robot arm affixed on the periphery of the board is an awkward design;

secondly, restrictions on the robot arm only being able to manipulate only one game piece at a time as well as the mechanical components of the robot arm itself means that the opponent's moves will be slow and awkward relative to that of the player.

It is a major disadvantage of the prior art that an A.I. opponent cannot move multiple game pieces simultaneously.

Unfortunately a major drawback to such a method is that only a single object can be physically moved along the surface.

Furthermore, the orientation of the object cannot be determined.

Thus, the applications for such a method are seriously limited.

However, such a system cannot accurately identify the orientation of each object relative to the interactive surface, nor can such a system direct the movement of the object along a defined path which can be sometimes a straight line and other times a bending movement along an arc.

Thus, game piece movements that perform smooth turns and follows complex defined path cannot be performed using the prior art.

Although U.S. Pat. No. 7,245,760 B2 resolves some of the deficiencies identified in the above-mentioned prior arts, the electronics embedded within each robot are costly and the use of plurality of these robots in order to develop an interactive board game could prove to be uneconomical.

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